A first-half brace from Mohammed Anas powered Maritzburg United to a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium.
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Johannesburg – A first-half brace from Mohammed Anas powered Maritzburg United to a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium.
The high-scoring United put on a clinical performance against the Sea Robbers who were below-par on the night.
The Buccaneers subsequently head into the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend on a losing note.
Three combinations led to the first goal in the third minute after a throw-in from Khumbulani Banda went to Thokozani Sekotlong, who crossed to Anas who tapped past the goalkeeper in the third minute.
Pirates replied through Kermit Erasmus in the 33rd minute with a strike on the edge of the box after tandem play with Mpho Makola.
Mondli Cele was instrumental in the winning goal with an assist for Anas, who in the 45th minute had an easy tap-in. The industrious Cele’s hard-work and persistence beat defender Thabo Matlaba to make the cross into the box.
United meant business, and they did not take long to show intent as a well-orchestrated opening goal caught the Pirates defence slumbering.
Khethokwakhe Masuku laid-off a cut-back pass in the box for Matlaba, who whipped his shot wide of the target in the 15th minute.
Making his return after being sidelined by injury, the hard-running Matlaba appeared predictably rusty having missed a number of matches.
Pirates were hard done in the 23rd minute when referee Daniel Bennett blew his whistle for a foul on Sifiso Myeni instead of allowing the advantage.
Pirates had launched a counter attack when Myeni made an assist pass to Kermit Erusmas, who was unmarked in-front of goal.
Pirates appeared to be running around aimlessly while United, comfortably in the lead, boxed smart and let them to wear themselves out.
While Pirates continued to probe, the visitors were happy to sit back and frustrate the opposition.
United looked to pounce with a counter in the 29th minute when Cele broke free from the defence but his shot whizzed over Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo.
The Soweto giants continued to graft and their efforts finally paid off when the front-line combined for the equaliser.
Minutes later though Anas stole Pirates' thunder with another goal that ensured that United went into the break on top.
With the last kick of the first-half the Ghanaian condemned the Buccaneers to start the second on the backfoot.
Pirates came out in the second half but lacked the vigour and creative spark that would mount any substantial pressure on the opposition.
Meanwhile, United played with swagger as they watched the opposition fall head-first into the tactical trap they had set.
The home side were becoming exasperated early in the stages of the half as they began to unleash long range rockets at goal.
Pirates winger Makola was the first to launch a thunderbolt that soared over goalkeeper Virgil Vries, which was followed by another shot from Matlaba that sailed wide. – Sapa
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